Three Accused of School Bomb Plot

Published 2:45 pm, Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Three boys are accused of plotting to blow up their rural high school and a courthouse.

Investigators said the three, ages 15, 16 and 17, planned to carry out the attack after Moffat County High School reopened in January following the winter break.

Police Chief Walter Vanatta said Friday that investigators have a possible motive, but he would not disclose it.

He also would not disclose whether the students had explosives, but said: "We viewed it as a credible threat that they had the knowledge, the skills and the abilities to carry out their plan. They were talking about explosive devices that would have caused substantial damage and injury or death."

The investigation in this town of 8,000 began after another student reported threats, Vanatta said.

The three students were arrested Dec. 21. They are expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and terrorist training activities.